Articles from throughout the Battalion during Off Post Training Exercise at Fort Bliss

1. D EEP A TTACK
N EWSLETTER 17 March 2011
Volume 1, Is sue 1
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Attack 6 Guidance 1
Greetings from Fort Bliss From the Desk of Attack 7 1
Upcoming FRG Events 2
Attack 6 Update Long Range Support 3
Small Arms Success 3
“DEEP ATTACK!” As Leaders, it is our
What you might not know about Re-Up 4
obligation to ensure our
Soldiers are trained for any Inside the Aid Station 5
anticipated mission in an Family Reintegration 5
era of persistent conflict Live Fire Preparations 6
and prepare accordingly. As Back at Battalion 6
the Battalion Commander
of 2-4 FA, I have been
amazed with the level of By: SGM Kenneth Oliver
proficiency, motivation and “Attack 7”
initiative exhibited by our
Soldiers. Although this month we have
During our time here taken your Soldier away from home it’s
at Dona Ana we have had our obligation as Leaders to ensure our
some of the most intensive, Soldiers are trained for our anticipated
high optemp and resource mission in an era of persistent conflict
driven training made and prepare accordingly. I have been
available. truly amazed with the level of
Your husbands and wives have executed flawlessly proficiency and motivation exhibited by
with discipline. Our Soldiers have embraced this training our Soldiers. I could not be more proud
with exceptional results and rigor. of being a member of such a great
organization of professional Soldiers,
NCOs and Officers. During our time here
at Dona Ana we have had some of the
most intensive and resource driven
training made available through some of
the most state of the art facilities. Our
Soldiers have embraced this training
opportunity in a condensed time period
with exceptional results and rigor. Our
accommodations here have been user
friendly and Leaders and Soldiers are
doing the right thing within their
respective formations. We look forward
to our return to home station as a
Battalion that is trained on all our METL
tasks as well as our Warrior tasks and
drills ready and prepared! Effective
training is the cornerstone of operational
success.
Please see Attack 6 Guidance continued on page 2

2. Deep Attack! Page 2
Attack 6 Continued Upcoming FRG Events
By: Bonnie Smith, BN FRSA
The battalion has executed; establishment of a FOB You might be asking yourself, "What is a FRG? Why
that included the best Dining Facility in the should I be involved?" An FRG is an organization made
southwest, Zero Range with 226 Soldiers zeroing, up of family members, volunteers, service members,
Qualification range with 255 Soldiers qualifying, and civilian employees. The FRG belongs to a unit and
certification of our launchers and FDCs in provides an avenue of mutual support and serves as a
preparation of our live fire, Soldiers qualifying, network of communication among the family
certification of our launchers and FDCs in members, the chain of command, and community
preparation of our live fire, a Best-By-Test resources. Unlike some organizations, the FRG does
Competition for launchers and FDC’s, TOC Battle not have dues. All family members are equal and
Drills, MDMP, Alpha Battery executed a 50km combat there is no military rank. The FRG leaders are
patrol to range 13 where 41 Soldiers executed volunteers – family members just like you. FRGs
reflexive fire, Charlie Battery followed suit with 43 provide extensive training (which is usually free or
Soldiers trained in Reflexive Fires, 696 FSC’s paid for by the military unit) and a chance to
execution of its Reflexive Fire at Range 54 pushing volunteer. The FRG offers the opportunity to be
through HHB, H24 and 168 BSB, 696 FSC conducted involved in your spouse’s unit and to make a
recovery training and joined 168 BSB FLEE for cross difference. Your level of involvement is strictly up to
training on the fuelers and LRP rehearsals, our you depending upon your personal interests, time, and
maintenance personnel continued maintenance on commitment. As with any organization you may belong
convoy vehicles and preparing for the AMEE to, it takes time to transition into a new group and
inspection and lastly HHB has been running our the FRG is no different. Give it a chance. Attend a 2-4
Forward Operating Base flawlessly. Battery FRG activity. FRGs enhance every Guard or
The battalion looks forward to our welcome return to Reserve unit family readiness by fostering a spirit of
Fort Sill. The Deep Attack Battalion will be more cooperation and unity. They can assist in preventing
proficient on Full Spectrum Operations and is ready the problems that may affect families as a result of
to deploy at a moment’s notice. See you at the end their spouse’s separation due to mobilization,
of March ! deployment, or training. If you would like to keep
track of events happening with 2-4 and Fort Sill please
join our Facebook Page at:
Deep Attack
http://www.facebook.com/pages/2-4-Field-
Artillery/149082691779574. We will be posting the
information regarding our BN Spring Fest this year we
Leaders
are having a Easter Theme. Mark your calendar for 19
April, 2011 at 1630. We are looking forward to see
you!
Stead Fast and Loyal
Attack 6 out.

3. Deep Attack! Page 3
Long Range Support
By: 1LT Preston Parker
As we set off to deploy over 600 miles
away from home station on the first of March to
head southwest to FOB Dona Ana. Soldiers and
leaders arrived at the barracks on the first of
March, 4:30 Tuesday morning to secure doors and
ensure the safety of Soldier’s personnel
equipment for the next 30 days. They
immediately turned around and headed to the
Motor Pool to begin loading up bags and
performing last minute follow up checks in order
to ensure the readiness of the vehicles. After
completing all checks of the vehicles and
rehearsing multiple potential scenarios for Small Arms Success!
recovery, 696 FSC headed off as fourth in the
order of convoy march. Soldiers drove 12 hours
through long stretches of flat terrain to arrive at By 1LT Graham Purcell
Cannon Air Force by 11:00 that evening. The 696
Forward Support Company was integral in We have taken advantage of the
ensuring success the following day, they awoke availability of small arms ranges here at Fort
first and departed ahead of the other convoy Bliss, conducting zero, qualification, night and
elements to ensure Refuel on the move reflexive fire ranges. The Soldiers of the Deep
capabilities throughout the rest of the movement. Attack Battalion conducted training and
The fueling teams were recognized for their broadened their knowledge of their individual
outstanding performance and expedited refueling weapons making Soldiers more combat capable
process, one convoy serial of 17 vehicles was and more comfortable with their weapons. Alpha
refueled in under twenty minutes. Once again Battery conducted a 25 meter marksmanship
showing the logistical prowess of the Forward range allowing Soldiers in the Battalion to zero
Support Company. their weapons using iron sights and close combat
optics. Completion of the range was crucial to
ensure over 250 Soldiers were fully capable of
completing future ranges. After the Soldiers
zeroed, they moved over to Charlie Battery’s
qualification and night fire range. The Deep
“Logistics…as vital to Attack Battalion fired over 80,000 rounds of
ammunition qualifying over 250 personnel. The
military success as daily next step after qualification came reflexive fire,
where Soldiers trained to fire while standing,
food is to daily work.” moving, and pivoting from up to 25 meters away
Captain Alfred Thayer from their targets.
Mahan
Please see Small Arms Success on Page 4

4. Deep Attack! Page 4
Small Arms Success continued…
Overall, over 200 Soldiers participated in
reflexive fire training, firing over 27,000 What you might not know about “Re-Up”
rounds of ammunition. Such training is a
building block to more intensive live fire
ranges, to include convoy live fires and urban
combat scenarios, both of which will be
conducted in the following days. As Soldiers
progress through the increasing firing tables,
they will begin to gain a level of
familiarization with their personal weapons,
allowing them to react rather than hesitate,
saving lives and completing the mission. All in
part to ensure Deep Attack Soldiers are multi
mission capable warfighters.
Article by: SSG Ashibuogwu
"RE-UP" is the abbreviation for reenlistment.
Reenlistment NCO is at the battery level and they focus
mainly on reenlistments and accomplishing the FY
reenlistment goals. I am a Career Counselor, my job
consists of more
than "just reenlisting Soldiers"; My job is to counsel
Soldiers and family members regarding the benefits and
opportunities within the Army Retention Program.
Career Counselors' ensure eligible Soldiers not desiring
to reenlist in the active component are referred to and
counseled by the reserve component. It is my job to
advise commanders on bars to reenlistment
preparation, imposition and removal procedures, and
requirements on reviews and separation. It is my job to
ensure Soldiers are fully eligible to reenlist by screening
their files; I must also ensure that preparation, timely
submission and processing of RETAIN transactions are
completed, RETAIN confirmation transmits assignment
instructions and SRB payments. Career counselors
ensure Soldiers are aware of changes to bonuses, in/out
calls, BEAR program changes and new MILPER messages
when they come out. Ensuring the Army Retention
“Re-enlistment is not Program is publicized and making sure information is
available is a major part of the success of the program.
utilizing Soldiers as a Reenlistment is not utilizing Soldiers as a number, it is
to reenlist quality Soldiers on a long term basis. The
number, it is to reenlist army is cutting down the number of forces,
quality Soldiers on a reenlistment is not who can reenlist the most Soldiers.
We want highly qualified Soldiers who WANT to be here.
long term basis.”

5. Family Re-Integration
Article By: Chaplain Kim
It is almost time; Soldiers, spouses, and
children are excited about the homecoming
day. Preparation can prevent a frustrating
and upsetting reunion. Returning Soldiers
will want to reassert their role in the
Family, which can lead to tension. This is
an essential task, which requires patience
to accomplish successfully. Soldiers may
feel pressure to make up for lost time and
missed milestones, but things have
changed: spouses are more autonomous,
children have grown, and individual
priorities may be different. It is unrealistic
to return home and expect everything to
be the same as before the deployment.
Spouses have to adapt to changes. They
may report a loss of independence, as they
Inside the Aid Station had to watch the house, children, and pay
By: 1LT Thomas Ostruske bills. Basic household chores and routines
need to be renegotiated. The role played
It is everyone’s wish to never have a need by the spouse must be reestablished.
for the Battalion Aid Station, yet as Medics Reunion with children can also be a
and Care providers we must be ready from challenge depending on their age and level
the moment boots land on ground to provide of understanding. The Soldier may not
medical aid and attention to any that may approve of privileges granted to children
need it. With combat medics on sight at by the non-deployed parent. It is important
every major training event and still for the Soldier not to try to make changes
maintaining a presence at FOB Dona Ana; right away. If they do, the Soldier risks
coordination is the key to ensure medical invalidating the efforts of his/her mate and
care is denied to no one. Upon arrival, the alienating the children.
Deep Attack medical staff wasted no time Patient communication, lowering
conducting recons of the fastest routes to expectations and taking time to get to
area hospitals, helicopter landing zones, and know each other again is critical to
medical supply warehouses. All to ensure successful reintegration of the Soldier back
your family members receive the best care into the Family. Sometimes the separation
available, should the need arise. With our of deployment provides Soldier and spouse
skilled team of Combat Medics and care a chance to evaluate changes within
providers roving the battle space to ensure themselves and what direction they want
even the most remote locations have the their marriage to take.
opportunity to top notch care, family
members can rest assured, knowing the
Deep Attack family is well taken care of
with 24/7 availability. Army Medicine, Army
Strong!
“…family members can
rest assured, knowing
the Deep Attack family is
well taken care of.”

6. Deep Attack! Page 6
Live Fire Prep Meanwhile… Back at Battalion
By: 1LT Bradley Pemberton By: 1LT Sam Cantrell
As Alpha and Charlie Batteries prepare to While the battalion is deployed to White Sands,
fire their rockets there is much to be done before Bravo Battery continues to train at Fort Sill for
heading to the firing point and sending rounds upcoming Radar deployments to Afghanistan in support
downrange. The entire process is executed with of Operation Enduring Freedom. This month Bravo
exacting precision. The three man launcher crews Battery will certify two crews on the AN/TPQ-36 Fire
must develop a cohesive unit which can only be Finder Radar System. This Radar is a weapon-locating
developed through countless hours of practice. radar system, designed to detect and track incoming
Standardized drills ensure even the smallest of artillery and mortar fire to determine the point of
details is rehearsed and predicted. Platoon origin for counter battery fire. This system can also be
Operations Centers begin by establishing voice and tied into loud speakers to warn fellow soldiers of
data communications with the Battalion allowing incoming rounds, which saves lives. Bravo Battery also
for redundancy. Once a mission is received from has 12 personnel currently attending the Radar
the operations center, crew members spring in to Operators Course provided at I-SEE-O hall here on Fort
action. With safety always the number 1 priority, Sill. Soldiers have also been completing Theater
crews work to perfect their movements. Slow is Specific Individual Readiness Training, including
smooth, smooth is fast. Crews practice daily the Improvised Explosive Defeat, HMMWV Roll Over
three types of fire missions they can potentially Procedures, Traffic Control Points, and Entry Control
receive: Time on Target, At My Command, and Points.
When Ready. After every fire mission, crews and The Bravo Command team has also been in
commanders sit down to discuss ways to improve charge of the Rear Detachment for the month. Stay
their effectiveness and to identify successful back personnel have worked diligently making patrols
tactics. All in part to ensure the Deep Attack and physical security checks of the barracks and
Battalion remains at the tip of the spear, ready to privately owned vehicles ensuring that all personal
execute fire missions with lethal precision and effects are secured while the rest of the battalion is
accuracy. deployed to White Sands. Rear Detachment personnel
have done a great job of fixing up the barrack’s CQ area
and the Battalion’s rocket display behind building 3417.
Edited by 2LT Justin Nash